From The Telegraph of London: “Elena Lazzarini, a researcher from Pisa University, believes the enormous fresco is replete with homosexual imagery, including a man being dragged into Damnation by his testicles and kisses and embraces between male figures. She has explored the theory in a new book, claiming that Michelangelo drew much of his knowledge of male anatomy from his frequent visits to gay brothels and ‘Turkish baths’ in 16th century Italy.”The virile male bodies are inspired by the physiology of labourers engaged in physical exertion, with taut muscles, strenuous exertion and pain etched into the expression on their faces. She said it was well documented that Michelangelo, who is believed by many historians to have been homosexual, frequented bathhouses and steam rooms tucked away in Rome’s maze of cobbled alleyways. “The bathhouses had many rooms where people could take hot and cold baths and massages. “And then there were other, secluded rooms, places of promiscuity and both male and female prostitution.” For a closer look at some of the gayest images from Michelangelo’s famous painting, and humorous investigation/analysis of Lazzarini’s sure-to-be-controversial claim, please read Excellent writerBrian Molyan‘s post on Gawker.

Porny Excellence, according to an upcoming book: The Last Judgment, which took Michelangelo four years to complete, covers the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, inside the Vatican Image via ALAMY via The Telegraph of London via Gawker.com. .

Presenting, just in time for global Fashion Weeks, the official trailer for Picture Me: A Model’s Diary, the candid backstage documentary directed by Ole Schell, who, according to press reports, “followed model Sara Ziff for several years documenting her rise from a fresh face to one that adorns billboards and magazines around the world. In the process, Ole and Sara go behind the scenes and chronicle the glitzy world of high fashion modeling, from photo shoots with celebrated photographers to runway shows in New York, Milan, and Paris. This intimate account features in-depth interviews with noted photographers and designers, but also relies on footage shot by the models themselves, giving voice to those who are often seen, but rarely heard.” With glamorous appearances by Gilles Bensimon, Karl Lagerfeld, Nicole Miller and many Outstandingly Excellent and quite fashionable others.

“Everyone seems to be so scared of doing something that isn’t “cool ” and we wanted to change that mentality,” says 29-year-old John Skelton, former buyer for Oki-Ni, of the idea behind his and partner Dan Mitchell’s new venture,Late Night Chameleon Café (LN-CC). “The concept is quite simply, everything that we love across all areas wrapped up and enveloped in the best surroundings possible whether it be online or offline.” LN-CC, which recently launched online at www.ln-cc.com is “a project incorporating menswear, womenswear, books and music.” A 6,000 sq. ft., by-appointment-only, LN-CC retail space, designed by Gary Card, is slated at open in East London in October. As always, The EP gets the inside scoop… To read the full interview, please click HERE (PDF).

“I really enjoy playing with fabric and seeing how it behaves,” says Moscow-born, London-based designer Georgy Baratashvili. “I find draped clothes very flattering and sensual, and it was unseen in menswear when I started doing it.” In addition to producing his own athletics-inspired, forward looking and directional collections, Baratashvili, a former dancer and a graduate of Central Saint Martin’s fashion academy, has collaborated with Preen, Puma and, more recently, Monarchy, one of England’s current “It” bands. Apparently, Georgy’s a bit of an “It” man-about-town himself, so The EP decided to see what all the Baratashvili buzz is about. To read the full interview, please click HERE.

Checking into one of Her Excellency Diane von Furstenberg’s recently unveiled designer suites at London’s Outstanding Claridge’s Hotel. “Four of the 20 suites have been completed, revealing animal-print, luxurious fabrics, Chinese florals, and nature-inspired décor. A visual diary of Diane’s travels, the feeling is wall-to-wall glamour but with very personal touches – photographs taken by Diane are like souvenirs left behind in each space,” says the Inside DVF website.

In a secretly swift and Outstandingly Excellent move that has caused the cancellation of the Christie’s auction, which was previously scheduled to take place in London on September 15, 2010, fashionable heiress and art-loving socialite Daphne Guinness has purchased the entire collection of 90 outfits and 28 photographs of legendary style icon Isabella Blow. “It’s Issy — it’s her DNA — it should not be scattered to the four winds,” Ms. Guinness told the equally legendary and stylish journalist Suzy Menkes of The International Herald Tribune viaThe New York Times.“I want it to remain as a monument.” Who could dare to disagree?